The Best Value Illinois Colleges

Best Value Colleges in Illinois for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in Illinois based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in Illinois is Northwestern University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $23,341 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
Illinois Public Private 4 year

41 results

Northwestern University
Connect Me
N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Value in Illinois

  • 23,203enrollment
  • $23,341net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Chicago
Connect Me
C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Value in Illinois

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $27,979net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Connect Me
I
Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#3 Best Value in Illinois

  • 56,563enrollment
  • $14,297net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Illinois at Chicago
Connect Me
I
Chicago, IL

University of Illinois at Chicago

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Value in Illinois

  • 33,522enrollment
  • $11,499net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Roosevelt University
Connect Me
R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Value in Illinois

  • 4,015enrollment
  • $21,503net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 820-1090SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Illinois Institute of Technology
Connect Me
I
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Value in Illinois

  • 8,563enrollment
  • $25,001net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1410SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Illinois at Springfield
Connect Me
I
Springfield, IL

University of Illinois at Springfield

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Value in Illinois

  • 4,661enrollment
  • $9,241net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bradley University
Connect Me
B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Value in Illinois

  • 5,217enrollment
  • $24,703net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Millikin University
Connect Me
M
Decatur, IL

Millikin University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,659enrollment
  • $10,078net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 860-1170SAT range
  • 14-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Illinois Wesleyan University
Connect Me
I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,576enrollment
  • $31,310net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Knox College
Connect Me
K
Galesburg, IL

Knox College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,001enrollment
  • $25,524net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1385SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Augustana College
Connect Me
A
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Value in Illinois

  • 2,484enrollment
  • $24,695net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of St Francis
Connect Me
S
Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Value in Illinois

  • 3,185enrollment
  • $16,455net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 900-1170SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Illinois University
Connect Me
N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#14 Best Value in Illinois

  • 15,504enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Elmhurst College
Connect Me
E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Value in Illinois

  • 3,906enrollment
  • $22,760net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lake Forest College
Connect Me
L
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Value in Illinois

  • 1,818enrollment
  • $29,894net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1365SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lewis University
Connect Me
L
Romeoville, IL
 

Lewis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Value in Illinois

  • 6,636enrollment
  • $19,472net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Central College
Connect Me
N
Naperville, IL

North Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Value in Illinois

  • 2,856enrollment
  • $24,190net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1065-1280SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Compare Calculate my chances